Berger-Lacke is one of the TOP 100
Excellent: Berger-Lacke is Germany‘s TOP100 innovator 2016
awarded by TV science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar

Grünstadt/Essen. Berger-Lacke, specialized in customized industrial premium coatings, was honored to be Germany’s Top 100 innovator during the German Summit of Medium-Sized Companies on May, 23rd, 2016 in Essen, Germany. The award was handed over by the famous TV science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar, while he complimented the outstanding innovative orientation and power of Berger-Lacke. Among over 4000 further candidates, Berger-Lacke convinced during a tough scientific selection process of the University for Economy of Vienna and reached optimum values and results - which resulted in a top ranking position, even among the TOP100 on a top level above the TOP100 average. The rating covered all major categories such as innovative corporate culture, over innovation management up to innovative results. The owners and managing directors, Thomas M. Adam and Markus M. Adam, received the award, representing the whole team of Berger-Lacke.

Berger-Lacke convinced the jury and the scientists in all elements of the analysis. Starting from the innovative corporate culture, over the innovative orientation of processes and strategy up to the final innovations and resulting products, the company reached top results. So Berger-Lacke is not just one of Germany’s TOP100, but also among the top group of companies up to the TOP TEN. The final total excellence level achieved was A+, which was the best possible grade.

„We are very proud of that result. A neutral, scientific and highly professional third party confirmed once again the power of our sustainable and innovative culture, politics and every-days-work”, explained the owner and CEO Thomas M. Adam, while he stressed the great work of the whole team, as this is not just the outcome of the top management but every single employee in the Berger-Lacke team.

That this is not just a result of luck confirmed Markus M. Adam, also managing director, co-owner and fourth generation in the family business: “Innovation supporting structures, close contact to our customers, creative and committed teams of specialists and a full identification of all with our companies values and strategy is the basis for sustainable innovative success.”

Thus, the Berger-Group introduced also during the last months different innovations. For example, modern systems reduce VOCs and process costs for the customers. An outstanding innovative success by Berger-Seidle, the associate company of Berger-Lacke, is for example is the novel product Aqua-Seal GreenStar: a premium two component waterbased finish for wood floors. It represents the first product of a completely new category on the market, as it is now possible to have a two component product where hardener (component B) is not containing Isocyanate anymore. Therewith, the health protection level for the installers improved strongly. As the product and hardener both are completely free of hazard labelling, the installer does not need the specific protection measures anymore. Besides that, Aqua-Seal GreenStar offers an improved, great workability and does no more emit CO2. Summing it up: it protects the environment as well as the user and is a real innovation and novelty in the market.

In total, Berger reaches the top grade level A+, on a scale from A+ down to F-. The company annually invests 17.5% of the total turnover in innovations, which is high above average of the industry. 37% of the turnover is generated by products which are newly developed or improved during the years before. Berger focusses specifically on innovation pushers such as advanced trainings, investments, market analysis, involving customers and suppliers as well as having very heterogeneous teams. These are some of the aspects being part of the innovation analysis.

“Joy and effort about innovations, as well as the steady investment in innovations and improvements will stay Berger-Lacke’s focus also in the future – and this is the solid base of our leading technology level and market position”, Markus M. and Thomas M. Adam are summarizing; underlining the company’s clear continuity in challenging existing solutions in order to achieve improvements.

The Top 100's mentor, science journalist and television presenter Ranga Yogeshwar, is impressed by the quality of the companies and hopes they will become role models. “The way in which the Top 100 companies generate new ideas and develop groundbreaking products and services based on them is remarkable in the truest sense of the word. I am delighted that the award highlights these qualities. I hope their success will encourage others to follow in their footsteps, because this culture of innovation is going to become increasingly important for all companies."

About the company
Berger-Lacke is part of the Berger-Gruppe, an independent, mid-sized and family-owned corporation, located in Grünstadt, Germany. Berger develops and produces exclusively in Grünstadt and “Made in Germany”. Being a specialist for customized industrial premium coatings, Berger-Lacke supplies its high-end products globally all over the world on a leading technology level and market position. Innovation, protection of environment and health, sustainability, protection of resources, premium product performance and safety as well as cost efficiency solutions for the customers are the focus of the company’s strategy.

About the award
The Top 100 award is given to companies with the particular ability to innovate and above-average success rates for innovations. This project has been coordinated by Professor Nikolaus Franke from the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Vienna University of Economics and Business since 2002. The Top 100 is mentored by science journalist and television presenter Ranga Yogeshwar and organised in partnership with the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW).